U.S.-based INVISTA’s technology and licensing business—INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT)—and Plaxica, a U.K.-based chemical technologies company focused on the development of technology for the production of low-cost lactic acid from biomass, have entered into a collaboration that is expected to accelerate the commercialization of Plaxica’s technology. 

Under the agreement, in which INVISTA will have an option for an equity stake in Plaxica, INVISTA will provide Plaxica engineering, technical, and commercial support from its global technology licensing organization. The two companies will work together to develop and commercialize Plaxica’s lactic acid technology, which the companies believe will offer substantial cost and performance benefits to licensees in the polylactic acid and bio-propylene glycol value chains.

 

"We are delighted to be working with INVISTA," said Philip Goodier, CEO of Plaxica. "This deal gives us access to INVISTA’s considerable expertise in process technology licensing and to their global engineering, commercial, and client support capabilities. We are confident that Plaxica’s strong technology base and existing client relationships, combined with INVISTA’s expertise and reputation built over many years of successful licensing in the global polyester industry, will strengthen and accelerate the commercialization of our technologies."

 

"Plaxica’s technology offers an exciting opportunity to add to our technology licensing portfolio in a growing sector," said Mike Pickens, IPT president. "We are very happy to be collaborating with Plaxica to bring their technology to the market."

 

Plaxica’s lactic acid technology will soon be available from INVISTA. More information is available on the INVISTA Performance Technologies website.

Plaxica is a technology licensing company founded in 2008 as a spin-out from Imperial College, London. Its unique chemical technology produces low-cost lactic acid from non-food based sugars, including those from industrial waste streams, with a particular focus on hemicellulose by-products from the paper and pulp industry. Plaxica is committed to driving growth in sustainable chemicals by developing and commercializing licensing competitive and value creating technologies that add real value for feedstock owners and producers for the production of bio-sourced chemicals and materials.

 

With brands including LYCRA®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, STAINMASTER® and ANTRON®, INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of chemical intermediates, polymers, and fibers. The company’s advantaged technologies for nylon, spandex, and polyester are used to produce clothing, carpet, car parts, and countless other everyday products. INVISTA operates in more than 20 countries and has about 10,000 employees.